Jain Journal 2006 10 No 04

SR No.: 520264
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 2006
Total Pages: 36
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

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JAIN JOURNAL : VOL-XLI. NO. 2 OCTOBER. 2006
The symbol of the Pūrņa-kalasa which is to come next in the group of the auspicious dreams has already been discussed. We have seen that a Jina is conceived of as a giver of boons in Jain tradition. He is to the devotee like a full Jar100. The Digambar Uttarapurāņa says that the Kumbha signifyes the coming child to become the lord of the treasures (nidhi, cf. Navanidhi of the Brahmanic conception; Vide, the Development of Hindu Iconography, p. 210). It is meet and proper, therefore, that on the eve of the advent of the Jina, the Jinamother should visualise the happy event in the forın of the coming of a full-jar, among other objects which are essentially the various attributes of the Jina represented in concrete iconic forms. It is in consonance with the conception explained above that the kalasa (jar) is most often given the appearance of a human face with two eyes and some sort of a head-dress!!. The Kalpsūtra mentions that the full vase 'united many excellences and all-auspicious marks, and stood on a lotus (shaped foot)-shining with excellent jewels'. It is said to be the abode of happy Fortune (soma-lacchi-nibhelanam) and is entwined ‘with a wreath of fragrant flowers'.
The next in the group is the Lotus Lake (padmasarovara). It is full of yellow waters abounding with swarms of aquatic animals and few fishes. Pairs of swans, cranes etc., resorted to its waters affording a pleasant sight. The best emblem of the Jain life with its ideas of purity, greatness and fullness is the white lotus. This conception is so old as to find a place in the Anga literature of the Jains. The Sūtrakrtānga 02 describes a pool full of such white lotuses, thus: “There is a lotus pool containing much water and mud, very full and complete, answering to the idea one has of a lotus-pool, full of white lotuses, delightful, conspicuous, magnificent and splendid. And everywhere all over the lotus pool there grew many white lotuses, the best Nymphaeds, ... in beautiful array, tall, brilliant, of fine colour, smell,
100. Vide, the description under xx. aştamangalas above. 101. See, Jaina Citrakalpadruma, frontispiece. 102. Sūtrakstānga, sūtra II, 1.2, 3, 4.